Toggle navigation
William C Strutz DDS

Practice Limited to Periodontics
7070 Renner Road Shawnee, KS 66217
(913) 268-0808

  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ's
  • Patient Education

Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal

  • Blog Home
  • Dental+Procedures
  • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal

Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal

By William C Strutz DDS Practice limited to Periodontics
September 10, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: periodontal surgery  
PeriodontalSurgeryAllowsustoAccessDeepSurfacesforPlaqueRemoval

All treatments for periodontal (gum) disease focus on one goal — to remove any bacterial plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) that are at the heart of the infection. Plaque is a thin surface film of food particles and bacteria that cause gum disease.

Plaque builds up on tooth surfaces due to inadequate oral hygiene. And as the disease progresses brushing and flossing won’t be enough — you’ll need our services and specialized equipment to fully remove the plaque and calculus. The basic technique is called scaling in which we remove plaque and calculus manually from tooth surfaces above and just a few millimeters below the gum line.

As the disease develops, though, the slight natural gap between teeth and gums may begin to increase to form voids known as periodontal pockets. Filled with infection, these pockets can extend below the gum line onto the roots of the tooth. If the pocket extends more than 4 millimeters, basic scaling may not be able to remove all of the plaque and calculus.

Periodontists (dentists who specialize in the treatment and care of gum tissues) can perform a surgical method to access these deeper areas. Known as flap surgery, this procedure aims not only to reach and disinfect periodontal pockets and root surfaces, but also repair damaged gum tissue and create a better environment for future hygiene and treatment.

As the name implies, we create an opening in the gum tissue with one side remaining attached to the gum structure — much like the flap of a paper envelope. Through this opening we’re able to reach areas to remove plaque and calculus, as well as install both bone grafts to regenerate lost bone and growth factors to stimulate tissue growth. Once finished, we stitch the flap back into place with sutures and, in many cases, place a moldable dressing to protect and hold the flap secure while the incision heals.

This relatively minor procedure can be performed with local anesthesia and requires only a few days of recuperation. The results, though, can provide long-term benefits — reduced infection, better bone and gum health, and a more conducive environment for future maintenance of health — that could save your teeth and your smile for many years to come.

If you would like more information on treatments for gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Periodontal Flap Surgery.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • January (2)
        • You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
        • Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Keeping Your Smile Healthy Through the Holidays
        • Even if a Root Canal Won't Work, This Procedure Could Save your Tooth
      • November (3)
        • Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
      • October (3)
        • Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
        • Guide Your Older Children or Teens through These 3 Oral Health Areas
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
      • September (3)
        • Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
        • Grafting can Help Regenerate Gum Tissue Lost Through Recession
        • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal
      • August (4)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • 10 Tips to Tame Bad Breath
        • Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
        • Severe Dental Injuries May Require Endodontic Treatment
      • July (3)
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
        • Make Dental Care a Priority When You're Pregnant
      • June (3)
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • 4 Causes for Gum Recession and What We Can Do About It
      • May (3)
        • Get an Early Start Treating Root Resorption Before it's Too Late
        • Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • April (2)
        • Root Planing Cleans Plaque from Tooth Roots Without Surgery
        • Managing Diabetes and Gum Disease Together will Lessen the Effect of Both
      • March (2)
        • Bone Loss: the Hidden Consequence of Your Missing Teeth
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
      • February (3)
        • Difficult or Not, Plaque Removal is Necessary for Stopping Gum Disease
        • Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
        • Early Action Needed to Save Your Tooth from Root Resorption
      • January (2)
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Why You Should Still Floss with an Implant-Supported Bridge
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
        • Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
      • November (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
      • October (2)
        • Lasers Beginning to Change Some Root Canal Procedures
        • There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching
      • September (2)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
      • August (3)
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • Instill in Your Child the Daily Habit of Brushing and Flossing
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
      • July (2)
        • Practice Proactive Prevention to Enhance Your Child's Dental Development
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
      • June (2)
        • Don't Wait - Seek Out Treatment for Gum Recession Now
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
      • May (2)
        • We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • April (2)
        • There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • March (3)
        • Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Daily Hygiene Tasks Performed Properly Help Ensure Good Oral Health
      • February (1)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • January (3)
        • Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Success with Dental Implants Depends on Attention to Detail
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
      • November (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Attention to Detail Crucial to a Beautiful Smile Supported by Dental Implants
      • October (3)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Your Gum Tissue 'Biotype' Could Determine How Gum Disease Affects You
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
      • September (2)
        • You May Need Surgery to Repair the Damage of Gum Recession
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • August (2)
        • A Child's Damaged Tooth may require a Different Approach than an Adult's
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
      • July (3)
        • Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Restore Health as Well as Appearance to Gums
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
      • June (2)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Provide Better Fit and may Stop Bone Loss
      • May (2)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Word Quiz on Oral Hygiene
      • April (2)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Complex Mouth Conditions Call for Dental Specialties
      • March (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Issues to Consider Before Dental Implants
      • February (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Root Resorption in Adult Teeth is a Cause for Concern
      • January (2)
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Implant-Based Removable Dentures a Good Choice for Patients with Extensive Bone Loss
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • The Implant Process can be Shortened, Depending on the Tooth Type
      • November (2)
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
      • October (2)
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Timing is Everything When Replacing a Teenager's Missing Tooth
      • September (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Improving a 'Gummy Smile' Depends on its Cause
      • August (2)
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • 4 Tips for Instilling Good Family Hygiene Habits
      • July (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
      • June (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • The Many Advantages of Dental Implants
      • May (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Regular Cleanings Benefit Both Your Dental Health and Your Smile
      • April (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • dental implants (18)
  • crowns (3)
  • celebrity smiles (42)
  • dental cleanings (1)
  • oral hygiene (17)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • gum disease (13)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • braces (5)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • wisdom teeth (2)
  • missing tooth (1)
  • orthodontics (3)
  • dentures (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (2)
  • root resorption (2)
  • root canal (3)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • dental specialists (1)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • implant overdentures (1)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • cosmetic gum surgery (1)
  • dental injury (5)
  • gum recession (5)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • oral health (7)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (4)
  • tooth decay (1)
  • dental cleaning (1)
  • periodontal disease (3)
  • porcelain veneers (1)
  • bad breath (2)
  • root canal treatment (4)
  • orthodontic treatment (4)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • chipped tooth (2)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • tooth pain (2)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • teeth grinding (1)
  • hiv (1)
  • bone grafting (1)
  • retainers (1)
  • bone loss (2)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • root planing (1)
  • teeth whitening (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • sinus surgery (1)
  • oral cancer (1)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • periodontal surgery (1)
  • smile makeover (1)
  • apioectomy (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Dental Procedures (59)
  • Oral Health (45)


Leave us a Review!

 

 

 

Top 10 dentistry clinics in Shawnee 2015
A Shawnee Dentist winner of the 2015 Patients' Choice Awards.
Verified by Opencare.com

 

Our Location

7070 Renner Road
Shawnee, KS 66217
(913) 268-0808

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dentist Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map